Champion mare Via Sistina (IRE) (Fastnet Rock) has capped an extraordinary 2024-25 campaign with the title of Australian Racehorse of the Year, announced at a ceremony at The Star in Brisbane on Sunday.
Prepared by Chris Waller, Via Sistina polled 202 of a possible 204 votes to claim the award comfortably ahead of Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) and Yulong’s dual Oaks heroine Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express).
The northern hemisphere-bred mare won seven Group 1 races during the season, headlined by her devastating eight-length Cox Plate triumph in record time and her Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes victory at Randwick in the autumn. Via Sistina also secured Champion Middle Distance honours, collecting 203 votes to defeat Mr Brightside (Bullbars) and Antino (Redwood).
Gr.1 VRC Oaks and ATC Oaks winner Treasurethe Moment earned 161 votes to edge Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) and Aeliana (Castelvecchio) for Champion Three-Year-Old Filly. Under the care of trainer Matt Laurie, Treasurethe Moment’s spectacular season saw her claim six Group wins including the historic Oaks double and Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes. She is the second homebred Champion three-year-old for Yulong following Hungry Heart (Frankel) back in 2021.
Adapted from an article by ANZ Bloodstock News.
